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THE 

THRESHOLD OF NIRVANA. 



* 



THE 

THRESHOLD 

OF 

NIRVANA 


BY 

May Cummings. 


The McLean Company, 
Publishers, 
Baltimore, Md. 



COPYRIGHT 

1916 

By May Cummings. 



MAR -4 i9i6 


©CU427146 

/ • 






















































THE 

THRESHOLD OF NIRVANA 


The hour was nearing eleven, and the pulse 
of tropic India was slackening for its midday 
drowse. The parakeet of the outer palace court 
blinked silently from his perch and the peacock 
had sought the grateful shade of the wall. The 
inner court was a more favored spot, for there 
thick foliaged vines turned their sinuous length 
about every pillar; and tendril clasping tendril 
across space formed a canopy of massed leaf- 
age, bud and bloom. Dark green shadows lent 
the illusion of coolness accentuated by the plash 
and tinkle of the fountain, save which the silence 
was unbroken; a profound stillness not to be 
expected in a schoolroom — and this is none other 
than the Place of Learning. 

‘‘Ayah, ayah, do not be tiresome — I heard 
you the first time!” 

“But tasks should be over, pretty one. We 
must go away to the robing. It is the luncheon 
hour.” 


8 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


In tones soft yet insistent the Hindu nurse 
pleads at the ear of her wilful charge. 

“Not until I make it complete: the thought. 
You do not understand."' 

The lithe, rounded form half rose and then 
sank back in a rapt attitude; the left hand was 
clenched, as if in desperation, while the fingers 
of the right were cramped awkwardly about the 
pen poised over a manuscript on the desk before 
her — a sheet of paper zigzagged with crude 
scrawls meant for writing. With patient de- 
votion the ayah bent over the bowed form, wav- 
ing, waving her ever-present fan gently, oh, so 
gently, as if to waft away care from that young 
brow. Alas, within those dark, oriental eyes the 
soul-thirst had kindled fires of perpetual unrest, 
a deathless quest. 

The third occupant of the court was Roger 
Innesley, A. M., English tutor to Vidharra, 
daughter of Rajah Sindh. Perfunctorily polite, 
he gave no sign of impatience toward his per- 
verse pupil, whose tasks were never completed 
“on time." Calm and dignified, as befitted his 
calling, he sat erect in a most luxurious desk- 
chair, his gaze apparently fixed on the row of 
“English Classics" within easy reach. His high- 
bred, rather aquiline features wore an expres- 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


9 


sion of abstraction deepened by the far-away 
look in the dark-gray eyes. Whatever his con- 
cern might be, it was not the mental wrestlings 
of Vidharra with the closing sentence of her 
English composition. 

But the end was achieved somehow and the 
meagre offering submitted apologetically to the 
master of tasks, who was all deference in re- 
gard to the few thin pages of parchment. 

‘‘Many gracious thanks, your ladyship. Very 
well done. Tomorrow I bring them revised, and 
perhaps we rewrite the thoughts my way — we 
shall talk them over together."’ 

“Together” — magic word! It was pure joy 
animating that crimson tide suffusing the clear 
olive of cheek and brow that gave the likeness 
of some glowing tropic flower. 

“There are so many mistakes; I cannot write 
your English ever,” faltered the sweet, plaintive 
tones as, acknowledging the courteous bow of 
the Englishman, she turned to follow her serv- 
ing-woman. 

To one emerging from the cool greenness of 
that most unique schoolroom the glare of the 
sun-parched earth was almost intolerable, but 
Roger Innesley’s straight figure swung along 
through the white, hot dust with its usual ath- 


10 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


letic stride. As a member of the faculty of 
Mithratta Mission College he had received an 
invitation to luncheon at the home of Dr. Weer, 
president of the institution. ''Bn famille'' the 
note had read, and no one would be present 
except the doctor and his niece, Miriam Olcott, 
who had come from the home-land but recently 
to take charge of a new training school for 
native nurses — an important auxiliary to the mis- 
sion hospital. Recollections of previous meet- 
ings with this young lady set him wondering 
whether she would be in one of her distraite 
moods, all the while vaguely conscious that her 
mood should make no difference to him. 

At his quarters he tarried only long enough 
to lay aside his teacher’s portfolio and make 
himself presentable; then hastening to the bun- 
galow, beneath a giant banyan, where true Eng- 
lish hospitality bade every comer welcome. 

The good old doctor was pacing the veranda, 
his spare form erect, white hair swept back 
from a most noble brow, from beneath which 
shone eyes that had caught the Beatific Vision. 
‘'A saintly face,” thought Roger Innesley as that 
rare smile greeted him from the steps. 

Miss Olcott, as she came forward in the tiny 
reception room, offered him her hand with un- 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


11 


wonted cordiality, and he felt relieved that the 
dreaded explanation of his tardiness did not 
have to be made during luncheon. 

''Was there an air of apprehension about the 
host, at odds with his gayety of mien the guest 
asked himself, and sought to silence the pre- 
monitions rising within him by remarking the 
beauty and domesticity of the bungalow interior. 
Cool, gray-blues and sea-greens in color-tones, 
diaphanous draperies, light basketry furniture, 
sparkling crystal and silver — each and all lent 
of their charm to the effect of artistic "homey- 
ness'' : an emanation from and fit setting for that 
stately woman robed in white, wearing her coro- 
net of golden hair like a very queen. 

"My dear Roger, I trust you have forgotten 
the forlorn state of this abode, this very room, 
six months ago, when Miriam took pity on her 
incorrigible bachelor uncle." 

The guest murmured some polite common- 
place in an effort to follow the desired lead, and 
chanced to note Miss Olcott's gaze fixed on the 
movements of the butler, or general servitor, 
whose flapping sandals and trouser-legs were 
disappearing through the doorway. 

"You agree now, Uncle, that Gaschal gives 
better service than Koosh?" with an eager sud- 
denness. 


12 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


‘‘Yes, yes; have capitulated long ago. We 
are greatly blessed in all these changes. Do you 
know,” addressing the guest, “this formidable 
young person has discharged our Hindu cook 
and now the butler, replacing them with these 
half-caste, semi- foreigners, so regarded because 
of the French admixture? There are many such 
on this province.’^ 

“These Indo-French have no standing among 
the native Hindus. Race prejudice, engendered 
by the French occupation of this region, still 
persists — to the confusion of missionaries. Ban- 
yah and Siska were perpetually spying upon one 
another and telling, but Gaschal is dependable 
and loyal, I feel sure. Pardon my bringing on 
these domestic broils.’^ 

“Your word ‘loyal,’ ” said Innesley, “reveals 
the depth of the situation. Loyalty: does it 
exist in the absolute? Can the heritors of a 
mystic past, minds enmeshed in Brahmanism, 
comprehend altruistic loyalty? Blind devotion 
to the egoistic faith that achieves Nirvana is all- 
pervading, all-enthralling, because all-alluring.” 

“True, true,” rejoined Dr. Weer, “the cur- 
rent is age, long-age, strong; but we have set 
its course homeward. There is something in the 
heathen heart unsatisfied with Nirvana — the 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


13 


impulse to do, that he may be. That little spark 
of creative fire divinely implanted in every hu- 
man soul is being kindled into ambition to indi- 
vidualize personality, the future starten But 
I did not intend a harangue. I am growing 
old and garrulous."' 

At this juncture ices and fruit appeared, and 
Roger found new interest in the deft-handed 
butler who had been adjudged ‘"loyal."" What 
a marvel to read the Celtic strain in that Asiatic 
type — depth of eye, arch of nostril, length of 
line about cheek, and chin all bespoke intelli- 
gence and stability! 

The post-prandial chat on the veranda was 
of necessity brief. Afternoon sessions called 
each to his post of duty, and hours of toil awaited 
the workers in the mission field of various activi- 
ties at Mithratta. 

At the close of the final class period Professor 
Innesley addressed himself to his usual task 
of correction of themes for the day. Involun- 
tarily he selected first the one marked Vidharra 
English, “Singular fortune,"" he mused, “to be 
tutor to the daughter of a Hindu Rajah (in title 
at least)."" Since his conversion his Highness 
has adopted European customs with an enthusi- 
asm his fat, round countenance does not betray. 


14 


The Threshold oe Nirvana, 


How far this favoring higher education for 
women is influenced by principle and how far 
by ambition for worldly advancement ; the wisest 
of sages could not determine. It is a pleasure 
to teach the charming child along the line of her 
real interest — romanticism, of course. How she 
has striven for self-expression in this : 


The Lily Maid of Astolat, 

“So like a lily flower, Elaine. Very sad it was, and 
cruel too, that she should be as in a prison kept. The 
father and brothers were Christian knights and had 
much joy in the tournaments. Her they bade be content 
in the dark castle. Sir Launcelot was mean with the 
deceit in his heart. Guinevere had the angry spite. 
Elaine was of the faithful heart, she suffer so she die. 
Her spirit suffer till it find Nirvana.” 

The last word was startling. This from an 
orthodox Christian convert ! And in such a 
frank manner! Yet, why surprised? Rather 
the deep pity that any man worthy of the name 
feels for all women worthy and unworthy. In- 
advertently, perhaps, in that last sentence Vi- 
dharra had vouched the primitive sense of soul- 
scar. To this Hindu maiden the wound of true 
love scorned was a cankering blight, ne'er healed 
outside the threshold of Nirvana. A mist before 
the master's eyes blurred the scrawled lines, with 


The Threshold of Nirvana. 


16 


their blots and erasures. Conscience-smitten he 
winced at the recollection of this trusting child's 
halting, painful efforts toward the light of learn- 
ing. The wan face and burning eyes had been 
pitiful to see, the strain of flagging powers under 
the lash of will. Dearly bought, this fatal knowl- 
edge of the world's way — ^the way of woe for 
womankind. 

These meditations were interrupted by the ar- 
rival of a messenger bearing the customary '‘re- 
quest to be present" at a called meeting of the 
faculty. That meant hours of desk - work to 
complete the daily routine in time to attend. 
Harassed by fatigue, his spirit rebelled against 
the loss of his evening. 

Promptly at eight o'clock the meeting was 
convened and its purpose stated by Dr. Weer. 
Within the past twenty-four hours he had been 
apprised of disaffection among the natives em- 
ployed on the estates belonging to the institu- 
tion, and by means of trusty servants in his own 
household had traced the disturbing element to 
a very unexpected source. 

Pausing a moment, as becomes the harbinger 
of ill-omen, the speaker voiced his fateful dis- 
covery. "The storm-center is in Rajah Sindh's 
palace." The wave of alarm that swept over 


16 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


the little assembly was succeeded by the tension of 
alertness as the calm voice went on: “Rajah 
Sindh is a devout and pious worshiper in our 
chapel. The price paid for the old temple and 
adjacent lands seemed to satisfy his greed, and 
his position as local magistrate affords him pomp 
and the semblance of power. However, his cher- 
ished revenge for the fate of his son — will you 
state your recollection of the circumstances. Dr. 
Carleton 

The head surgeon’s statement was brief. The 
lad was brought to the hospital suffering from 
a fevered wound, the result of a brawl with 
some of the soldiery. The combined skill of 
the whole staff could not save his life. 

“In my opinion,” continued Dr. Weer, “the 
plot is yet in its incipiency. The syces and gar- 
deners have obtained the dregs of the Rajah’s 
wine casks, and race prejudice was momentarily 
drowned in conviviality, so Gaschal says. A few 
words of dire import were uttered: 'We have 
much feasting and dancing when the English 
are no more.’ Gentlemen, I rely upon your ad- 
vice in the presence of possible disaster.” 

Professor Blake addressed the chair with his 
characteristic practicality: “Rajah Sindh should 
be placed under arrest by the constabulary and 


The Thrh;shold of Nirvana. 


17 


the nearest military guard summoned to take 
charge until this mystery is cleared up/’ 

‘‘Not quite feasible, Professor, as his Excel- 
lency is away from home, probably being enter- 
tained in state by some petty potentate of a 
neighboring province.’’ 

“Or lying hidden within his own walls, with 
his spies prowling beneath our windows, lurk- 
ing in every shadow. With your permission, I 
shall communicate with the commandant at once 
and have a cordon of regulars drawn up about 
the palace of Sindh and the entire household put 
under surveillance. We must not let any notions 
of chivalry exempt the royal lady daughter and 
her devoted ayah. Professor Innesley has the 
honor to be her tutor; he may have observed 
her qualities of sincerity and loyalty — or their 
opposites ?” 

All the while Roger Innesley had been silently 
on the defensive against this question, and now 
felt relieved that it was not direct. He felt a 
rising indignation at the least suspicion against 
this innocent child, though as untouched by 
Christian faith as when she sang in the temple 
choir with other vestals of her rank. A mere 
sign of negation, courteously disclaiming any 
knowledge on the subject, was enough to de- 
liver him over to his own conscience. 


18 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


A plan of vigilance was adopted and the meet- 
ing adjourned, each member taking his separate 
way homeward. 

Breathless with the rapidity of ascent, Innesley 
paused on an eminence in the road winding up- 
ward to the palace. His highly wrought mental 
state was keyed to the sense of solitude under 
the open sky at midnight in India. Far, far 
away the Himalayas reared their huge, jagged 
crests against the sky. Along their giant sides 
floated and hung masses of billowy cloud, over 
which the heat-lightning played in fitful flames. 
Dark yawned the ravines among the hills, and 
the rice fields lay in dense blackness threaded 
by tiny rivulets silvered by the tropic moon. 

Hearing footsteps, he turned to encounter his 
most intimate co-worker, Dr. Carleton. Neither 
expressed surprise, as they were of one accord 
in watchfulness tonight. 

‘‘Do not let me disturb your musings. This 
is a night when the stress of civilized life drives 
us to the open.’' 

“Where one may ponder the mysticism of this 
Land of the Brooding Spirit.” 

“Spirit of what?” 

“The All-Absorbing Immanence of Being, Nir- 
vana, if you will.’' 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


19 


“Spirit of Indolence and Sloth. The Hindu 
has grown so accustomed to doing nothing all 
his life that he can think of no more blissful way 
of spending eternity.'" 

“I respect your sane, common-sense solution, 
but this belief in Nirvana, in the All One, has 
its charm. Remember the lines: 

“Thy soul goes gladly forth 
To mix with God, sole Being, and live in Him, 
Yielding its tribute to the Universal Mind. 

A spirit atom in the Eternal One, 

Serving the more high destiny to swell 
The bliss of Being which alone can be.*^ 

“Logical result of climate and the caste sys- 
tem, that paralysis of initiative. jThe dead- 
weight that Buddhism could not lift is laid on 
our shoulders. Therefore, are we dwellers in 
tents or bungalows?" — with a gesture toward 
the group of buildings below. 

Windows were alight here and there among 
the low-roofed cluster about the old temple, with 
its tier upon tier of roofs — pagoda style — • 
crowned with a slender spire in token of its 
dedication to Christian worship. As chapel and 
school it bore witness to missionary effort. These 
young men were not pioneers in the cause, but 


20 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


both knew what the price of every inch of ground 
had been in life-blood. 

‘'No sleep for us tonight, and yet nothing 
to do.’’ 

“Let us reconnoitre the enemy’s position,” and 
Innesley motioned toward the palace amid its 
palm gardens on the hill beyond. White gleamed 
the pillars and towers in the moonlight, while 
the entrance lay in the shadow of the archway. 
Silently the men traversed the winding paths 
about the open grounds, but there was no sign 
of life except the sleepy twitter of birds in the 
shrubbery thick-massed against every wall. 

Dr. Carleton spoke impatiently: “What’s the 
use of this prowling? We shall be good for 
nothing tomorrow. Come, let us homeward — 
why — what ?” 

His companion had seemed to halt and then 
quicken his pace. “Yes, by all means,” he as- 
sented. “You have, no doubt, had a hard day, 
and we shall both do the cause a service by get- 
ting a little rest.” 

He was now assured that Carleton had not 
heard the sound that had so startled him and 
felt impelled to follow the clue alone. 

Having parted with his friend at the latter’s 
door, Roger Innesley had climbed the hill road 


The Threshold of Nirvana. 


21 


for the second time and was creeping stealthily 
along the palace wall. Every sense was strained 
forward to catch again that sound echoing yet 
through his brain. Ah! there it was: ‘'Gr — r — , 
gr — r — the rasp of hinge long rusted through 
disuse. More creaking, and the subborn case- 
ment high above his head swung half open; a 
flash of misty drapery, and something spatted 
the pavement at his feet — a tiny packet weighted 
with a half-blown rose. 

The little clock on the mantelpiece chiming 
the hour of two startled the immobile figure at 
the desk, with head bent over a scrap of paper 
spread beneath the study lamp. As he flung 
back his shoulders in the effort to rise, the light 
fell full on the face of Roger Innesley, tense 
and sharp. The hand raised to sweep back the 
moist locks from his beaded brow was shaking. 
Strange the havoc these wavering lines in an 
unformed hand had wrought in the man's peace : 

“Sahib Innesley Beloved: My father has hatred very 
great. He is gone. The pariah syces have come and 
gone to the hospital. Ayah does not know. She sleeps 
and sleeps. It must be the English die; but not my 
beloved master. Vidharra gives him life for his love. 
She has gold and jewels. Come to the Fountain Court 
the Place of School. We will fly from the land. Vi- 
dharra knows the way. Her love has made her strong 
and wise.” 


22 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


Love and life! Life and love! What mortal 
man can thrust such an offering aside ruthlessly? 
Yet what was the life of a recreant worth; and 
as for love, was it so lightly won as to be flung 
to the winds ? Love had taught the Hindu maid 
heroism to overleap all bounds of tradition. The 
vision of her waiting at the fountain was one 
to wring the strong man's heart. If detected 
by her father's menials, life-long incarceration 
would be her certain fate. Any moment she 
might fall a prey to the pariah syces' fury. De- 
lay was placing Vidharra forever beyond his 
reach. 

The thought drove him forth into the night, 
panting with the fierce joy of snatching from out 
of this turmoil peace — the peace of exile. 

The English must die. A form, the embodi- 
ment of the gifts and graces of the race rose 
before him. ''A woman like Miriam Olcott 
doomed to heathen slaughter — God forgive me !" 
And Roger Innesley turned back from the 
threshold of Nirvana. Headlong with haste, he 
stumbled at the steps of Dr. Weer's bungalow 
and, half falling, supported his trembling frame 
against the railing. If his strength only suf- 
ficed to give the Earning! 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


23 


But no need — a low rumble rising to a roar 
in the direction of the hospital; light fragments 
of timbers were flying from one corner, and 
tongues of flame were hungrily licking the win- 
dow ledges bn one side. 

Simultaneously the president and his niece 
appeared in the doorway Roger had so nearly 
reached, and he shrank into the shadow as both 
glided past him down the steps and on toward 
the fire, whither forms were flying from all 
directions. 

The first thought was for the sick in the hos- 
pital. The wards being on the opposite side from 
that where the explosion had occurred, it was 
possible that the score of bedridden patients 
might be rescued. Rallying the frightened hud- 
dle of native nurses, Miriam Olcott was already 
directing the men to lift the cots with their help- 
less tenants through the low windows, whence 
willing hands bore them to a place of safety. 
The women were bidden to carry in their arms 
little children who had tumbled from their beds 
in terror of -the uproar. In her calm mastery 
this woman, born to command, allayed the fears 
of the panic - stricken creatures so narrowly 
snatched from the flames. 


24 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


The conflagration spread in spite of heroic 
efforts. Petrol and naptha had been used, and 
burning brands scattered by the explosions ignit- 
ed thatched roofs far and near. The temple 
alone stood intact when the last blaze was ex- 
tinguished, and there the hospital work was to 
be carried on for the present. Tents were im- 
provised for temporary shelter, and life in some 
fashion went on. 

It was a very grave, but still undaunted, band 
that gathered on the morrow to discuss ways 
and means of rehabilitation. Though the ma- 
terial loss had been great, it was nothing to the 
humiliation of being victimized by treachery. 

'‘Rajah Sindh,'' and Dr. Weer's tones were 
sorrowfully gentle, “has but yielded to the Ori- 
ental passion for intrigue, fanned by the fancied 
grudge on his son's account. Duplicity is the 
breath of his nostrils. Has he been appre- 
hended?" 

“Not yet," responded Dr. Carleton. “I have 
spent the morning with his household. Miss 
Olcott had gone there at the entreaty of Gaschal, 
who seems to find out everything, to attend Vi- 
dharra, and I was summoned. The girl is in a 
most pitiable condition, on the verge of brain 
fever. The ayah has been' drugged, but appears 


Th^ Threshold oe Nirvana. 


25 


almost normal. The pariah rabble is squatting 
and slinking about as usual — the very incendi- 
aries of last night, probably.” 

'Xet us give thanks,” said Dr. Weer fervently, 
''that we can by favor of our means give this 
child Christian care, thus blessing those that 
hate us — rather, ministering unto one of His 
little ones.” 

"The Lord has favored us with a miracle in 
the form of a noble woman,” said Professor 
Blake warmly. "A moment's hesitation in deal- 
ing with that ward last night, and those poor 
lives would have gone out in torture. To wit- 
ness a service like that would make a hero of 
the veriest craven.” 

Roger Innesley had sat apart with downcast 
eyes seemingly fixed on an official looking docu- 
ment and corresponding envelope which he held 
in his hand. 

"Gentlemen,” he began, rising to his feet, "lit- 
tle has been said of our pecuniary loss, but we 
realize that we are under the necessity of ap- 
pealing for aid. My finances have until recently 
been hampered by partnership litigation. This, 
from my agent, informs me that our joint min- 
ing interests in Wales have been disposed of 
at what he terms a good figure. My share is 


26 


The Threshold oe Nirvana. 


at my disposal, and I can place some five thou- 
sand pounds in your hands in three weeks time 
or less/’ 

''Five thousand pounds ! In our hands !” Dr. 
Weer stood facing the young man, as if he 
doubted his sanity, and for an instant no one 
else spoke. 

Then out of the general daze a murmur of 
protest. 

"My friends, have you been sharers of our 
common lot of poverty and peril with me only 
to refuse to partake of my prosperity? What 
better use for my poor pelf than to repair the 
wreckage of your years? No; my mind is made 
up, and I must ask leave of absence for two 
weeks. My presence in Calcutta is imperative. 
The negotiations must be carried on through 
the foreign exchange, and it will be necessary 
to cable to London.” Like to a penitent scourged 
for his soul’s ease, rather than a liberal-handed 
benefactor, was the stern-visaged man with 
glance of fanatic fire. His gentle "Do not thank 
me!” had in it the subtle silencing quality of 
appeal. 

One month had passed since the burning of 
Mithratta Mission, and the plot had never been 
unraveled. Rajah Sindh had not been seen and 


The Threshold of Nirvana. 


27 


his palace stood deserted, as if haunted or plague 
smitten. Among the tall cypresses of the bury- 
ing ground rose a third shaft of marble from a 
new tomb, beside which stood a man and a 
woman. 

They had met there by chance, and at first 
with the barest civilities. Each had laid a floral 
offering on the slab that covered Vidharra. 

'‘Ah, I see you, too, have selected half-blown 
roses for her,'’ murmured Miriam. "What so 
typical of her young life, just awakening to the 
light and sunshine 

"As her teacher,’’ rejoined Roger, "I was 
touched often with pity for her strivings after 
the unattainable.” 

But Miriam had turned away brusquely, even 
rudely. Innesley hastened to overtake her. 

"Permit me to accompany you home. I have 
something to say to you that I beg you will do 
me the honor to hear, if no more.” 

"Pardon my discourtesy and abstraction,” 
pleaded the gentle woman’s voice. "I was think- 
ing of that sweet young life, crushed and with- 
ering like a trodden flower. Oh, that last night, 
when the opiates had lost all power. In piteous 
abjection the tortured spirit begged for the peace 
of Nirvana. 'Oh, to forget,’ she whispered, 'for- 


f 

28 The Threshold oe Nirvana. 

get this world, where no one is true. Nirvana, 
Nirvana!'*’ 

The strong man turned pale at this appalling 
revelation. His tones were not quite steady When 
next he spoke. 

'‘Piteous indeed, and what a shocking experi- 
ence for you! Miss Olcott, pardon my presump- 
tion, but iS "it true that you have accepted a posi- 
tion as head nurse in one of the lowland mis- 
sions, that fever-haunted district that takes its 
awful toll from our ranks year by year?" 

"It is. ^My work here can be safely intrusted 
to those who' have been apt in training. Down in 
the 'valley need is sore. Shall the call of dis- 
tress go unheeded? The path is plain. To falter 
would be to sin." 

They had reached the steps of the temple and 
she made as if to ascend, when his passionate ex- 
clamation arrested her. Turning, she stood trans- 
fixed by that uplifted gaze — famishing, devour- 
ing. 

"Miriam, this is fanaticism, folly! Think of 
the priceless heritage you are squandering upon 
these groveling heathen! Youth, beauty, culture, 
gifts that should grace civilization of the high- 
est, all to this fetich — this Moloch. My poor 
fortune was nothing; but have we not done 


29 


Tnz Threshold oe Nirvana.^ 

enough? Accept the deepest devotion of a man’s 
heart and at home, in England, rule his destiny — 
a man not broken in spirit, nor penniless.” 

He felt her hands turn cold and free them- 
selves from his grasp and heard a firm : 

^‘No; it can never be.” 

He was startled to find that she was not look- 
ing at him at all, but straight over his head, with 
eyes fixed on the marble shaft among the distant 
cypresses. And then Roger Innesley knew. 










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